What to Know About Mistletoe

By Joe Lamp'l

The expression; “out of sight, out of mind” could easily apply to mistletoe, since it thrives in the tops of the dense tree canopies of its host. Therefore, it’s rarely seen for much of the year. But in the fall after the trees lose their leaves, this shrubby evergreen can be easily observed growing on the upper tree branches.

Mistletoe is rarely noticed except during the time when deciduous trees have dropped their leaves

Here in the states, our ritual stems from European mistletoe (Viscum album), which resembles American mistletoe. In Norse mythology, a Norse goddess declared mistletoe sacred to symbolize love. This led to the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe.

In the 18th century, mistletoe was hung during holiday festivals and men would steal kisses from women under it. One berry was removed for every kiss received. When the berries were gone, so were the kisses. Yet beyond this timeless tradition, I suspect most of us take for granted the backstory to this fascinating and very real plant.

It is also prominent in Druid and Nordic mythology. Celtic Druids considered the plant sacred and used it as a fertility symbol in ceremonies. They hung the plant over windows and doorways to ward off evil.

Native Americans used the plant in various ways including as a remedy for toothaches, rheumatism and to treat wounds.

The common holiday mistletoe known as American (or oak) mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum) is harvested in the wild mostly from Oklahoma and Texas to sell during the holiday season, but in America, it’s native to about 26 states. Its range extends from southern New York south to Florida, west to New Mexico, and northeast to Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Ohio.

Commonly found in oaks, mistletoe also grows on a variety of deciduous hardwood trees including maple, sycamore, hickory, beech, ash, elm, and pecan.

As an evergreen semiparasite, it roots beneath the bark of the host tree on branches and trunks, and creates its own food through photosynthesis. But it obtains water and nutrients through modified roots that penetrate the bark of its host. Although the genus Phoradendron literally means “thief of the tree” referring to the belief that mistletoe is robbing something from its host, mistletoe causes little harm to its host tree.

The word “mistletoe” comes from the Anglo-Saxon words for “dung” (‘mistel’) and the word for “twig” (‘tan’), which appropriately describes mistletoe’s origin of sprouting where a bird leaves its droppings. The berries are a favorite of the mistel thrush.

The sticky white fruit is poisonous to humans, but desired by birds such as robins, thrushes, bluebirds, and cedar waxwings. Birds spread the seeds by eating the fruit and eliminating them through their droppings and by wiping the sticky pulp off their beaks onto branches where new plants begin growth.

So there you have it. More than you wanted to know about mistletoe. But now that you do, feel free to use this timely and helpful information next time your holiday party conversation hits that awkward moment of silence. We’ve all been there. You can thank me later.

Joe Lamp'l is the Host and Executive Producer of the award winning PBS television series Growing A Greener World. Off camera, Joe dedicates his time to promoting sustainability through his popular books, blog, podcast series, and nationally syndicated newspaper columns. Follow Joe on Twitter

Thanks Rosie. Apparently I’m not on your station as much as you’d like. Will you do me us a favor then? Please let your local PBS station know this. All it takes is a call or email to the programming director (or whoever there is in charge of selecting the programming). They keep track of requests. And as member supported stations, they DO respond to viewer requests. Thanks in advance and for your kind words.

I have been told that mistletoe is harmful to trees & will kill them. In California they cut limbs back to try to get rid of the mistletoe & it’s roots. I was surprised to read in this article that it would cause little harm to the tree. Are these, perhaps, different varieties? Or have the tree trimming companies been making a lot of money off of us by creating a myth?

There are different varieties Susan and some can be more problematic. A search on the web will def. mention that is can have a negative impact. However, the general consensus is that overall, it does minimal damage if any. I am going to post some additional information that another reader has added in an email to me. Very interesting additions from his desert perspective. Check the comments in the article for my update.

I have been told i would find the origin of the mistletoe to be interesting. Thank you for the complete description and even though the last part might have been dropped without me feeling a bit bad, lol, it still is very interesting and I can’t wait to share it.

Thanks Joe, Just saw your show on the rotation of crops. Very good. Right now I have about 50 truckloads of chips from leaves to wood chips covering about 3 acres. I’ll need another 100 to get the job done over 5 acres . Am building my soil to plant maybe a little next year. I am putting 6 to 8 inches on top . The great news is that with all the record rain fall we have had, in the Peninsula area for Washington State, I have had no flooding. It’s acting like a giant sponge. The other great news is that it’s a water storage for my garden , so I will not have to water as much. Interesting article on mistletoe Thank you for your valuable information Best regards and Merry Christmas Dick Coolen

Wood chips are one of the greatest things we can add to protect and improve the soil. For all the benefits you mention and more. It’s an incredible investment for all the good it does. Keep up the good work Dick. Your 5 acres is going to have very healthy soil.